Easy, Healthy, and Cheap Brown Bag Lunches

I know you've heard it a million times but packing a lunch saves SO MUCH money! How much money? Let's do a quick estimate:

Let's say that the average cost of a take-out lunch in NYC is about $6, and that's being very conservative. If you buy lunch every weekday, that's $30 a week. That may not seem like a lot but if you could cut that cost in half and packed lunches that cost around $3, you'd save almost $800 a year. 

One of the biggest deterrents to packing a lunch is that there simply is not enough time and brown bag lunches are tasteless. I've been packing a lunch (and sometimes a dinner too) almost everyday for the last three years and I've got it down to a science. Most of the lunches I pack don't involve cooking and can be thrown together in 15 minutes or less.

Read on for some of my go-to options:

Get Freebies from Local Businesses using the Paypal Mobile App

Every once in a while there's a deal that just seems too good to be true. When a friend excitedly told me he had gotten free breakfast for a week using the PayPal App, I was skeptical. But never one to pass up a chance for a freebie, I downloaded the app to see what the hype was all about. Here's the skinny:

What is Paypal? An international e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers to be made through the Internet (Thanks Wikipedia!) Or in other words, it's a way to pay for items without cash or a physical credit card

How does it work? Once you've downloaded the app onto your phone (it's free and compatible for iOS, Android and Windows Phones), you link your account to an existing credit or debit card. You'll be asked to take a photo so that when you make a purchase, participating retailers can verify your identity. The app uses your location to display restaurants and retailers that accept Paypal in the area. Then you can select a restaurant and in some cases order ahead.

How can I get free stuff? The app's "Offer" section is where you'll find freebies and discounts. Businesses that are doing promotions are displayed in this section. The Bean, Pomme Frites, Viva Crepe, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream are among the business that currently have offers which range from $3 to $10 off any purchase. What's great is that unlike a lot of couponing apps, there's no minimum purchase. In fact, you can redeem the offer for less than the promotional price and save the rest for another visit. For example, I used the $3 off offer at The Bean for an ice coffee and still have 50 cents I can use the next time I order there.

So go ahead and treat yourself to a free cone or coffee or muffin- you deserve it for being so frugal! 

Free Outdoor Comedy Shows this Summer!

When I hear the words, "free comedy show" I immediately think of wannabe comics performing at an open mic night telling vulgar jokes about their bodily functions and blow jobs. Totally not my scene! So last summer when I heard about Laughter in the Park, a free comedy series in NYC,  I attended with great trepidation. Now having seen several laugh-out-loud funny shows, I recommend them to anyone who will listen. The series is organized by NY Laughs, a non-profit organization dedicated to making the city a better place through humor (seriously, how great is that?!). The shows take place in various parks throughout the summer and draw some awesome comic talent. Past performers include Amy Schumer, Eddie Brill, Reggie Watts, and Christian Finnegan. The series also showcases up-and-coming comedians and has also introduced me to some really great comics who I never would have discovered before... like Chris Distefano (pictured below) who performed at Washington Square Park last year!

Laughter In the Park 2013-Chris Distefano

Laughter in the Park had its 2014 kickoff show today in Central Park and has four more amazing events coming up! 

July 13th

Tompkins Square Park

2-4 PM

July 20th

Washington Square Park

2-4 PM

July 27th

Central Park

2-4 PM

August 2nd

Foley Square

12-12:30 PM

A full lineup of comics for upcoming shows is announced on their website before each event and you can also follow them on Twitter (@nylaughs) to stay updated!

Shakespeare in the Park...For Free!

It has been way too long since I've posted. Between finals, starting a new internship, and dealing with some major health issues, this blog had to take a backseat for a while. But as summer is kicking into full swing, so am I! Summer is the best season for amazing free and cheap events in the city. Case and point: Shakespeare in the Park.

Since 1962, the Public Theater has been sponsoring free performances of Shakespeare's most iconic plays in Central Park; often casting big name actors like Amy Adams, Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Anne Hathaway. Performed in the open air Delacorte Theater, stadium seating guarantees there is not a bad seat in the house.

This year's performances include Much Ado about Nothing (through July 6th) and King Lear (July 22nd-August 17th). I was so excited when my friend Bekah volunteered to go through the ticketing process (see below). We attended the show last Wednesday. I would not consider myself a Shakespeare fan. In fact I was barely certain I would be able to follow the storyline with all those thee's and thou's much less actually enjoy the play. So I was absolutely shocked when I found myself laughing out loud along with the rest of the audience at the many hilarious jokes and becoming emotionally invested in the romances of the characters. It was truly a great experience and one I would highly recommend to others.

Read on to find out how you can get tickets and my tips for making it the best experience it can be!

Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry's

Mark your calendars because it's that time of year again! On Tuesday, April 8th, swing by any participating Ben and Jerry's (full list here) for a free cone! If you live in the NYC Metro area there are locations at Macy's Herald Square, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square. This year they'll be offering cones of their tried and true favorites as well as some of their newest flavors like Salted Caramel Blondie, Hazed and Confused, Cotton Candy. Bon Appetit!

Free Cone Day 2013. I could hardly contain my excitement!

Enjoy Free Gourmet Treats from TableHoppingNY!

TableHoppingNY is a company that partners with restaurants throughout New York to connect customers with culinary experiences in the city. It is a great resource to find restaurants, bars, and events according to your specific tastes and neighborhood. As an added perk, members of TableHopping's mailing list regularly receive exclusive offers for free treats. Registration is easy and, of course, free! Simply fill out their registration form (click here) and you'll begin receiving emails with their exclusive offers. Once you are notified of an offer, simply confirm receipt of the email and they will send you a second email with a confirmation number to show the restaurant when you redeem the offer. Over the past three months, I've received offers for a personal chicken pot pie from Tuckshop, a cupcake from Billy's Bakery, an ice cream sandwich from Melt Bakery, and an order of Pommes Frites among other things. Most of the offers are valid for a limited time so be sure to redeem them promptly after receiving the email. What could be better than opening you're email just to find out that there's a free ice cream sandwich waiting for you just down the street!

Shop Affordable and Ethical Products at Hearts.com

As a young New Yorker on a budget, I am always looking for bargains, especially when it comes to clothing. So I'm a real sucker for fast fashion.

But recently I've become aware of the unethical practices used in the apparel industry. Some of my favorite retailers have been caught up in scandals involving sweatshops, pollution, and unfair labor practices. Check out the shocking list here. I was appalled! After learning more about these issues, I am making a conscious effort to support retailers who are socially responsible. However, I've found it difficult because firstly, it's hard to find brands who are transparent about their sourcing procedure and secondly, most of the products I was finding were at a price point out of my budget.

So I was thrilled when I discovered Hearts.com, an e-commerce website that curates hundreds of
ethically made products from vendors around the world, many of which are quite affordable. I love browsing through the different items and learning the stories of the people who created them. And as an added bonus, when you sign up for their newsletter, you get $10 off your first purchase! Score! Read on to see some of my top picks from Heart.com for those on a budget...

Learn Something New at Presentation Party Night

Ever wanted to know the history of the hot sauce industry? Or how stand-up comics develop their material? Maybe you're wondering how the deep web works or how scientists can create burgers using in vitro. These are just some of the many topics that have been explored at the monthly Presentation Party Night held on the 3rd Sunday of every month at Bat Haus in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The event is comprised of a lineup of ten minute presentations. Each presentation is followed by a brief question and answer session. And did I mention that there is free booze and snacks? The Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn Salsa Company, and Zico Coconut water sponsor the event and provide gratis food and drink. Many of the guests also bring snacks to share and the spread is usually plentiful.

Photo Credit: PPN Website

Photo Credit: PPN Website

I'll admit the whole idea sounds a little bit crazy and I was pretty apprehensive about going the first time. But I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the Presentation Party Nights I have attended and learned about stuff I would have had no understanding or awareness of had I not gone. The presentations are consistently intriguing, the crowd is always fun, and the free food & drink is just the icing on the cake. The next PPN is on February 16th and is rumored to be Valentines Day themed. I can't wait for the line up of presentations to be announced. Save the date!

Visit their website for more information and like them on Facebook to be notified about upcoming events.